July 3-6 : Known as a “party with a purpose,” the 20th Annual Essence Music Festival will once again grace the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. 
Featuring the foremost performers of soul, hip hop, R&B, jazz and more, this year offers a promising lineup, including Prince, Nile Rodgers, Mary J. Blige, Ledisi, Tank, Lionel Richie and Erykah Badu. The festival also features empowerment seminars from speakers like Abiola Abrams, author of The Official Bombshell Handbook of Self-Love; Bishop T.D. Jakes; and Cheryl Wills. essence.com/festival
July 4
Get ready for “oohs and aahs” galore at Go Fourth on the River. Head down to the shores of the mighty Mississippi River for this passionate annual salute to America’s independence, which features a one-of-a-kind “dueling barges” fireworks display along the New Orleans riverfront. The patriotic display is choreographed to classic anthems and simulcast on Magic 101.9 FM and WWL 870 AM, as well as online, and can be heard in 38 states. go4thontheriver.com
July 10-13
This is the eighth year that New Orleans has hosted its homage to the Festival of San Fermin in Barcelona; the four-day San Fermin in Nueva Orleans summer event features lots of food, music and fun. This year’s event boasts a wine dinner at the Hotel Mazarin, El Txupinazo pre-party at The Sugar Mill with food from local chefs (like Aaron Burgau of Patois and Tory McPhail of Commander’s Palace) and, finally, the Running of the Bulls on July 12, featuring New Orleans’ all-female flat-track roller derby team, The Big Easy Rollergirls. nolabulls.com
July 16-20
All hail the cocktail at this five-day, internationally acclaimed festival that brings together integral members of the spirits community from all around the globe. It’s only fitting that New Orleans, the birthplace of the cocktail, serves as the permanent home of Tales of the Cocktail. Join other cocktail aficionados for lectures, discussions, book signings, dinner pairings, cooking demonstrations and cocktail-mixing seminars. talesofthecocktail.com
July 31-Aug. 3
Dedicated to Louis Armstrong, Satchmo Summerfest is an annual, three-day celebration at the Old U.S. Mint, featuring local jazz and brass bands, delicious food, and fascinating talks about the life and talent of Louis Armstrong, as well as the history and influence of jazz in New Orleans. Free and open to the public, Satchmo Summerfest offers a Sunday morning Jazz Mass, a traditional second-line parade and jazz dance lessons. Festivalgoers can now escape the harsh summer sun and enjoy music and food inside shady tents, with plenty of air-conditioned family activities on the second floor of the Mint. fqfi.org/satchmo